The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is accepting applications for the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program (VAFAP). The VAFAP program provides grants to charitable food assistance organizations to purchase Virginia Grown agricultural products for distribution to food insecure residents in the state.
VAFAP applications should be submitted to VDACS by 5 p.m. on May 5. A total of $1.1 million in reimbursable funding is available for this grant round.
VAFAP applicants should outline their plan to engage local farmers to purchase locally grown, minimally processed agricultural products, and how the food items will be distributed to individuals needing food assistance. To receive grant funding, an organization must clearly demonstrate how the project will benefit people and families in Virginia who are food insecure.
“The Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program helps provide nutritious food to individuals and families who might otherwise lack access, while also supporting local agriculture and the regional community,” said VDACS Commissioner Charles Green. “Virginia farmers and agribusinesses are compensated for harvesting, packaging, processing, or transporting agriculture products donated or sold to food and food assistance organizations, which provides these entities with additional food resources to serve those in need.”
A competitive review process will be used to ensure maximum input and benefit. The review panel may also provide a recommended award amount for project proposals. VDACS will notify successful and unsuccessful grant applicants about the outcome of the competitive process as it relates to the applicant’s proposal.
Visit www.vdacs.virginia.gov/virginia-agriculture-food-assistance-program.shtml for more information and to apply.
